ABOUT THE SHOW
The Sandy Garden & Craft Show is a one-day local country show in the town of Sandy, Bedfordshire, which aims to bring families and the local communities, of all ages, together to share in a love of gardening, crafting and cookery.
Whether you are a hobbyist, baker, artist, knitter, brewer, grower or experienced floral artist or have another skill to show, The Sandy Garden & Craft Show offers the opportunity to showcase your talents and join a community of people who share your interests or simply browse and enjoy a summer’s day out with the whole family.
This year’s Show is being held at the Conservative Club, Bedford Road Sandy SG19 1EL, on 31st August 2024. Doors open at 1pm.
The Sandy Show was once reported in the local press as being, “The greatest one-day show in England!”
Did you Know?
Dedicated trains from London were once scheduled to bring, in some years, up to 10,000 visitors to the Sandy Show!
The first show was in 1868 – 156 years ago!
In 1920, a storm hit show tents releasing rabbits brought for showing into Hawksbury Meadow on the Pym Estate (an alternative location to Sandye Place which, due to bereavement, was not available that year) – so since then, we have hosted indoors!
Major Simon Whitbread, with his Wife & family, seen here at an early post-WW2 Show, admiring the Vegetable display. Major Whitbread was President of that year's Show. Looking on from the right, Mr George Truin, Chairman of the Society
The Sandy Garden & Craft Show gratefully acknowledges the support of The George Stevington estate in the use of the historical images and to the Johnston Press (owners of the Biggleswade Chronicle) for the reported details about the Show
The Sandy Show needs your support and attendance to bring it back to its former glory – we rely on Membership, Sponsorship and the Show entrance fee - (Just £1 and under 18s Free! ), to grow the event and add even more family activities in the years to come.
ABOUT THE SHOW ORGANISERS
Since its inaugural event back in 1868, The Sandy Show has been organised and run by firstly, The Sandy Floral & Horticultural Society (1869-1954) and more recently (since 1965) by Sandy & District Horticultural Association and its evolution has been guided by a dedicated group of committee members & volunteers. The images shown above are reproduced by kind permission of Sandy Historical Research Group (SHRG).
With the difficulties through the COVID19 pandemic the Show and its organisers have reset, recharged and reinvigorated the event with a new look, new name and new approach to encourage a wider diverse audience and bring the Show back to its former glory as “The greatest one-day show in England!”
The Show relies on our members and volunteers, the Friends of Sandy Garden & Craft Show. If you would like to volunteer to help in the run up or on Show day please contact us by email: info@thesandyshow.uk
Setting up in The Great Hall of Sandy Conservative Club - our first outing post the COVID pandemic - The 2022 Sandy Show